Fast in-field chromatography system and method using isotope measurements

ABSTRACT

A system for separation of components of a natural gas product uses a first separation column to receive the natural gas product and to provide first stage components including a first component gas, uses a gas converter to provide second stage components that includes third component gas from at least a second component gas of such first stage components, and uses a second separation column to provide third stage components that includes the first component gas, the third component gas, and one or more additional carbon-based components provided in or over a period of time associated with the separation of the components of the natural gas product.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of Invention

This invention relates in general to equipment used in the natural gasindustry, and in particular, to fast in-field chromatography of naturalgas products.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A drilling well is a structure formed in subterranean or underwatergeologic structures, or layers. Such subterranean or underwater geologicstructures or layers incorporate pressure that may be further enhancedby supplementing formation fluids (such as liquids, gasses or acombination) into a drill site or a well site (such as a wellbore).Chromatography may be performed in a lab setting for natural gas productsamples gathered from a well or drill site. Chromatography may beperformed using a serial or a parallel separation column that may takeas much as 3 to 10 minutes to determine various components in a naturalgas product sample. Certain chromatography systems may be able toseparate certain hydrocarbon components, such as C1 (methane) to C5(pentane) within a minute, but certain other components that may or maynot be hydrocarbons, including carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ethane, may notbe separated due to overlapping spectral peaks that may not be detectedseparately in a subsequent spectrometer or other detector.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, a system for separation of components of anatural gas product includes a first separation column, a gas converter,and a second separation column. In at least one embodiment, a firstseparation column is to receive a natural gas product and to providefirst stage components that include at least a first component gas andsecond component gas. In at least one embodiment, a gas converter is toreceive first stage components and to provide second stage componentsthat include the first component gas and a third component gas, thethird component gas formed by conversion of the second component gas. Inat least one embodiment, a second separation column is to receive secondstage components and to provide third stage components. In at least oneembodiment, third stage components may include the first component gas,the third component gas, and one or more additional carbon-basedcomponents. In at least one embodiment, individual third stagecomponents are provided in or over a period of time associated withseparation of components of a natural gas product by such a system.

In at least one embodiment, a method for separation of components of anatural gas product includes receiving a natural gas product in a firstseparation column. In at least one embodiment, such a method includesreceiving, in the gas converter, first stage components that includes atleast a first component gas and a second component gas, from a firstseparation column. In at least one embodiment, such a method includes afurther step of receiving, from the gas converter to a second separationcolumn, second stage components including the first component gas and athird component gas, the third component gas formed by conversion of thesecond component gas. In at least one embodiment, from such a secondseparation column, a method so described includes providing third stagecomponents. In at least one embodiment, such third stage componentsinclude the first component gas, the third component gas, and one ormore additional carbon-based components. In at least one embodiment,individual third stage components are provided in or over a period oftime associated with separation of such components of a natural gasproduct.

In at least one embodiment, a method for separation of components of anatural gas product includes determining calibration points associatedwith a combustion chamber of a chromatography system. In at least oneembodiment, such a method includes associating a first separation columnwith a gas converter and a second separation column. In at least oneembodiment, such a method includes determining that a natural gasproduct is available for sampling, such as by providing a natural gasproduct with a carrier gas to a first separation column. In at least oneembodiment, still further, a method for a fast in-field chromatographysystem includes enabling a spectrometer or detector to provide spectralpeaks at different times based in part on components separated in one ormore of a first separation column, a gas converter, and a secondseparation column of a fast in-field chromatography system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment subject to improvements of atleast one embodiment herein;

FIG. 2A illustrates a prior art system for separation of components of anatural gas product that is subject to improvements of at least oneembodiment herein;

FIGS. 2B-D illustrate results from a prior art system for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product, such as described in FIG. 2A andthat is subject to improvements of at least one embodiment herein;

FIG. 3A illustrates a further prior art system for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product that is subject to improvements ofat least one embodiment herein;

FIG. 3B illustrates results from a prior art system for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product, such as described in FIG. 3A andthat is subject to improvements of at least one embodiment herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another prior art system for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product that is subject to improvements ofat least one embodiment herein;

FIG. 5A illustrates a system for separation of components of a naturalgas product according to at least one embodiment herein;

FIGS. 5B-D illustrate results from a system for separation of componentsof a natural gas product, such as described in FIG. 5A, of at least oneembodiment herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a process flow of a method for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product according to at least one embodimentherein;

FIG. 7 illustrates another process flow of a method for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product according to at least one embodimentherein; and

FIG. 8 illustrates computer and network aspects for a fast in-fieldchromatography system, according to at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments will be described. Forpurposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that theembodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore,well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscurethe embodiment being described.

Various other functions can be implemented within the variousembodiments as well as discussed and suggested elsewhere herein. In atleast an aspect, the present disclosure is to a system and a method forseparation of components of a natural gas product.

In at least one embodiment, a system and a method for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product is able to determine, from differentcarbon isotopes, as to one or more carbon-based components in a naturalgas product. Element carbon has two stable isotopes (such as, ¹²C and¹³C). In at least one embodiment, isotopes in a natural gas molecule mayvary according to how such a molecule may be formed (such as by biogenicand thermogenic processes). In at least one embodiment, carbon isotoperatios (¹²C/¹³C) may be used for various natural gas studies, includingfor petroleum, source rock typing and identification, reservoircompartmentalization, formation pressure identification, reservoir sealeffectiveness, and migration pathways. As such, demand on carbon isotoperatio analysis has increased for oil and gas markets, and in particularfor mud-gas logging services. In at least one embodiment, gas separationherein has an applied isotope ratio measurement techniques to improve acycle time for measurements of isotope ratios for C1 (methane) to C5(pentane) and for CO2 to one (1) minute.

In at least one embodiment, a cycle time for isotope ratio measurementin an online mud-gas stream that can be improved to approximately 1minute in a fast in-field chromatography system and method herein. In atleast one embodiment, speeding up gas separation is a step that enablesfaster carbon isotope ratio measurements. In at least one embodiment,such a method and system address an issue in a measurement cycle timefor carbon isotope ratios that is done in an online mud-gas stream whichwas previously slow (such as, around few minutes).

In at least one embodiment, such a method and system use an intermediatereaction step to convert CO₂ in a natural gas product sample gas tomethane, which reduces a later separation effort for CO₂ in a naturalgas product. In at least one embodiment, such a feature reduces time forseparation and may be tracked by two distinct spectral peaks for methanein a spectrometer or detector. In at least one embodiment, a firstspectral peak refers to original methane in a natural gas product, suchas a gas stream and a second peak refers to converted CO₂. In at leastone embodiment, each spectral peak may be indicative of a differentisotope of methane. In at least one embodiment, all separated spectralpeaks are catalytically combusted in a further step. In at least oneembodiment, a catalytic combustion module may be used and may include acatalyst that can be regenerated by blowing hot air over it. In at leastone embodiment, such a feature reduces maintenance costs in for a fastin-field chromatography system.

In at least one embodiment, a system and method herein are faster andfitting for fast in-field chromatography without requiring samples to besent to a laboratory for results. In at least one embodiment, asmaintenance time is lower, a system herein is online for considerablylonger periods. In at least one embodiment, results for separation ofnatural gas components may require isotope ratio measurements, includingthose performed by mass spectrometry coupled to system described herein.In at least one embodiment, a whole system testing and calibration maybe asserted to address such mass spectrometry requirements. In at leastone embodiment, while parallel and series concept of gas chromatographycan be used to speed up gas separation prior to detection step, theircycle times would only be reduced marginally, and still requires a fewminutes for separation.

In at least one embodiment, FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment100 subject to improvements described herein. A fast in-fieldchromatography system may include one or more downhole and/orplatform-based tools 102. In at least one embodiment, a platform-basedtool may be above terrain surface 108 (of terrain 106) or above watersurface. In at least one embodiment, such a downhole and/orplatform-based tool 102 may be part of a string 112 of tools, which mayinclude other components utilized for wellbore operations.

In at least one embodiment, a string 112 may include other tools114A-114C than components or an entire fast in-field chromatographysystem. In at least one embodiment, such tools may be part of sensors,measurement devices, communication devices, and the like. In at leastone embodiment, a string 112 may include one or more tools to enable atleast one of a logging operation (such as mud-gas logging), forperforating operation, or for well intervention. In at least oneembodiment, nuclear logging tools, fluid sampling tools, and coresampling devices may be also used in a string 112. In at least oneembodiment, perforating operations may include ballistic devices beinglowered into a wellbore 104 to perforate casing or the formation. In atleast one embodiment, well interventions may include operations relatingto analysis of one or more features of a wellbore 104, followed byperforming one or more tasks in response to at least one feature. In atleast one embodiment, one or more features may include data acquisition,cutting, and cleaning. As such, in at least one embodiment, a string 112may refer to a combination of one or more tools lowered into a wellbore104. In at least one embodiment, passive devices may also be included,such as centralizers or stabilizers. In at least one embodiment,tractors may be provided to facilitate movement of a string 112.

In at least one embodiment, power and/or data conducting tools may beused to send and receive signals and/or electrical power. In at leastone embodiment, sensors may be incorporated into various components of astring 112 and may be enabled to communicate with a surface (platform)or with other string components. In at least one embodiment, suchcommunication may be via a cable 110, via mud pulse telemetry, viawireless communications, and via wired drill pipe, in a non-limitingmanner. In at least one embodiment, it should be appreciated that whileembodiments may include a wireline system, a rigid drill pipe, coiledtubing, or any other downhole exploration and production methods may beutilized with at least one embodiment herein.

In at least one embodiment, an environment 100 includes a wellheadassembly 116 shown at an opening of a wellbore 104 to provide pressurecontrol of a wellbore and to allow for passage of equipment into awellbore 104. In at least one embodiment, such equipment may include acable 110 and a string 112 of tools. In at least one embodiment, a cable110 is or may include a wireline that is spooled from a service truck118. In at least one embodiment, a cable 110 may extend to an end of astring 112. In at least one embodiment, during operation, a cable 110may be provided with some slack as a string 112 is lowered into awellbore 104 to a predetermined depth.

In at least one embodiment, fluid may be delivered into a wellbore 104to drive or assist in movement of a string 112. In at least oneembodiment, this may be a case where gravity may not be sufficient toassist, such as in a deviated wellbore. In at least one embodiment, afluid pumping system may be provided at a surface 108 to pump fluid froma source into a wellbore 104 via a supply line or conduit. In at leastone embodiment, control of a rate of travel of a downhole assemblyand/or control of tension on a wireline 110 may be provided by a winchon a surface 108. In at least one embodiment, such a winch system may bepart of a service tuck 118. In at least one embodiment, a combination offluid flow rate and tension on a wireline 110 can contribute to a travelrate or rate of penetration of a string 112 into a wellbore 104.

In at least one embodiment, a provided cable 110 may be an armored cablethat includes conductors for supplying electrical energy (power) todownhole devices and communication links for providing two-waycommunication between a downhole tool and surface devices. In at leastone embodiment, tools such as tractors, may be disposed along a string112 to facilitate movement of such a string 112 into a wellbore 104. Inat least one embodiment, a string 112 may be retrieved from a wellbore104 by reeling a provided cable 110 upwards using such a service truck118. In at least one embodiment, logging operations may be performed asa string 112 is brought to a surface 108.

FIG. 2A illustrates a prior art system 200 for separation of componentsof a natural gas product that is subject to improvements of at least oneembodiment herein. Although carbon has two stable isotopes ¹²C and ¹³C,an abundance of isotopes in a natural gas molecule varies according tohow such a molecule was formed (such as by biogenic and thermogenicprocesses). Isotope ratios (¹²C/¹³C) may be used for various natural gasstudies. Most developed techniques for carbon isotope ratio measurementsof natural gas mixtures may be based on three steps. In at least oneembodiment, such three steps may include separation of components,oxidation of components, and a combination of drying and detection.Oxidation of components may result in CO₂ formation.

A gas chromatography may be used to separate components of a natural gasproduct. A carrier gas 202 is provided with a natural gas product 206into a combination chamber 208. In at least one embodiment, such acombination chamber may include one or more sample loops, one or morepre-columns, and one or more multi-stage valves. A carrier gas may behydrogen or helium. A natural gas product 206 may be a sample forseparation and may be output 204 from a provided vent. Separation ofcomponents may occur in a separation column 210 having a coiltherethrough. Separation of components may be a limiting step toincrease cycle time associated with measurement of such components. Acatalytic combustion, via a combustion chamber 212, of separatedcomponents converts each natural gas component, which may elute at knownretention times, to molecules distinct for each hydrocarbon component inaddition to a CO₂ component.

Water vapor may be produced during such reaction and may be readilyremoved by utilizing in a tube dryer 216, such as Nafion®. For isotoperatio measurement, masses 44 (¹²C¹⁶O₂) and 45 (¹³C¹⁶O₂ & ¹²C¹⁶O¹⁷O) aswell as 46 (¹²C¹⁶O¹⁸O) are determined by detector systems, such as byusing mass spectrometry, using cavity ring down spectroscopy, or byusing infrared spectroscopy, respectively, and which may be representedin a spectrometer/detector chamber 214.

FIGS. 2B-D illustrate results from a prior art system for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product, such as described in FIG. 2A andthat is subject to improvements of at least one embodiment herein. FIG.2B represents a Supel-Q™ PLOT 260 from Supelco®, FIG. 2C represents aHayeSep Q™ plot 280 from VICI®; and FIG. 2D represents a ShinCarbon™plot 290 from Restek®. A measurement cycle time may be limited toelution velocity of components in a separation column 210. Elutionvelocity of components may be dependent on temperature and pressure in aseparation column 210. Increasing a temperature and a pressure may causeincrease of elution velocity, while separation of components maydecrease. Optimization of separation resolution and of measurement cycletime are improvements to gas chromatography systems offered by a systemand a method for fast in-field chromatography, discussed herein.Separation of natural gas components and of CO₂ may be time consuming insuch a singular separation column 210.

FIGS. 2B-D represent such time-consuming results 260, 280, 290 fromchromatographs of a separation column 210 used in a known gaschromatography system. Such cycle times are demonstrated at above a fewminutes in most cases. In FIG. 2B, natural gas component spectral peaks264 are illustrated with a label 266, for each spectral peak, for asystem 200 in FIG. 2A. As illustrated, detection of a final natural gascomponent, n-butane (label 11) occurs post-8 minutes, illustrated on aminute scale 262 of plot 260. In FIG. 2C, natural gas component spectralpeaks 284 are illustrated with a label 286, for each spectral peak, fora system 200 in FIG. 2A. As illustrated, detection of a final naturalgas component, propadiene (label 11) occurs at almost a 5-minute mark,illustrated on a minute scale 282 of plot 280. In FIG. 2D, natural gascomponent spectral peaks 294 are illustrated with a label 296, for eachspectral peak, for a system 200 in FIG. 2A. As illustrated, detection ofa final natural gas component, ethane (label 8) occurs post-4 minutes,illustrated on a minute scale 292 of plot 290.

FIG. 3A illustrates a further prior art system 300 for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product that is subject to improvements ofat least one embodiment herein. Such a provided system 200 is a seriesgas chromatography system. In such a system, separation time of naturalgas and CO₂ may be reduced by using two different separation columns310A, 310B. However, such cycle time may be only reduced to a certaintime value, which is still at least a few minutes, as illustrated in aprovided plot 360 in FIG. 3B. A system 300 of an in-series gaschromatography detector of FIG. 3 includes a combination chamber 308 fora carrier gas 302, for a natural gas product sample 306, and which islet out as a natural gas product sample 304, via a sample outlet. Acombustion chamber 312, followed by a dryer 316, and a spectrometer or adetector 314 may be as discussed with respect to a system 200 of FIG.2A.

FIG. 3B illustrates results 360 from a prior art system for separationof components of a natural gas product, such as described in FIG. 3A andthat is subject to improvements of at least one embodiment herein. Ameasured chromatograph of C1, C2, C3, and CO₂ for a 15-meter silicafused column with a 0.5 meter of HayeSep Q™ column is illustrated inthis figure. In FIG. 3B, natural gas component spectral peaks 364 areillustrated with a label 366, for each spectral peak, for a system 300in FIG. 3A. As illustrated, detection of a final natural gas component,CO₂ occurs post-1 minute, illustrated on a minute scale 362 of plot 360.FIG. 3B illustrates a time scale (such as, x-axis having sec/100measures), which shows that it takes roughly 170 seconds (almost 3 mins)for detection of C1-C3 and of CO₂.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another prior art system 400 for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product that is subject to improvements ofat least one embodiment herein. Such a system may be a parallel gaschromatography system. This may be a multiple channel gas chromatographapproach to reduce the cycle time. This may be used for reproducing moredata points within a separation time of chromatograph channels. Forexample, such a system 400 may be equivalent to applying separatechromatograph devices, where sampling starts at a same time but withfewer components being separated in each separation column 410A; 410B,and with remaining components in one or another of these separationcolumns.

For purposes of economy that may be driven by price and by size of asystem, a three-way valve 418 may be used to switch a gas stream betweensuch two separation columns 410A, 410B. This may avoid duplicatingcombustion chamber 412, dryer 416, and spectrometer/detector 414components in a system 400. As such, switching time of such a three-wayvalve 418 may be predefined, based on retention times and on a timewindow of desired components eluting from each separation column 410A,410B. A separation temperature and a separation pressure of separationcolumns 410A, 410B may be also different and well-tuned to preventoverlapping of spectral peaks eluting from different separation columns410A, 410B.

A system 400 of an in-parallel gas chromatography detector of FIG. 4includes separate combination chambers 408A, 408B for different carriergas 402A, 402B, for a singular natural gas product sample 406, and whichis let out as a natural gas product sample 404, via a sample outlet. Acombustion chamber 412, followed by a dryer 416, and a spectrometer or adetector 414 may be as discussed with respect to a systems 200, 300 ofFIG. 2A and 3A. A system 400 may be provided, in a similar manner as asystem 300, by some mud-gas vendors in an oil and gas sector.

In at least one embodiment, FIG. 5A illustrates a system 500 forseparation of components of a natural gas product that is an improvementover systems 200, 300, 400 previously discussed. In at least oneembodiment, such a system may be referred to as a gas chromatographysystem with intermediate reaction (GC-IntR). In at least one embodiment,although parallel and series gas chromatography systems and methods mayreduce separation time of components and may result in some reduction ofa system cycle time, such a system cycle time remains long (such as,about 3-10 minutes in average). In at least one embodiment,characterization of reservoir layers may be based on carbon isotoperatios during drilling making such a system 500 a fast in-fieldchromatography system. In at least one embodiment, such a system may bedependent on a time resolution of isotope ratios in mud logs.

In at least one embodiment, an ultrafast gas chromatography system 500enables improvement to time and chemical resolution from natural gasproduct samples. In at least one embodiment, such improvement leads to abetter assessment of information that comes to a surface (such assurface or platform 108 in FIG. 1) during a drilling operation. In atleast one embodiment, faster gas chromatography for spectrometers orother detectors 514 in a gas chromatography system 500 may be enabled byat least an intermediate reaction step provided by one or more gasconverters 518. In at least one embodiment, such a gas converter 518 maybe placed between one or more separation columns 510A; 510B.

In at least one embodiment, a gas converter may be a device adapted toexchange out (or convert) CO₂ to methane. In at least one embodiment, agas converter may be a device adapted to exchange out (or convert)hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) to Sulphur dioxide (SO₂). In at least oneembodiment, such exchanging out or converting features may be so thatonly isotopes of methane or SO₂ need to be detected in aspectrometer/detector to determine that a natural gas product has CO₂ orH₂S components. In at least one embodiment, each of such convertedcomponent gas (methane or SO₂) may be of a different isotope thannaturally available methane or SO₂ within a natural gas product. In atleast one embodiment, a gas converter is a device adapted to reducemeasurement time of components of a natural gas product from severalminutes to below 1 minute by, for example, conversion of CO₂ to methaneduring a process for detecting C1-C5 and CO₂ in a natural gas product;or conversion of H₂S to SO₂ during a process for detecting C1-C5 andH₂S. In at least one embodiment, such a feature leads to better verticalresolution (during spectrometric analysis) in a drilling process andleads to better chemical resolution in mud gas analysis. Suchimprovements lead to faster decisions in near-real-time (NRT).

In at least one embodiment, a silica-fused column may be capable ofseparation of C1 to C5 within less than one (1) minute. In at least oneembodiment, separation of CO₂ and ethane may not be possible due tooverlapping of spectral peaks associated with these natural gascomponents. In at least one embodiment, SO₂ (converted from H₂S) may bereadily measured in a detector for concentrations and/or for sulfur(S)-isotopes. H₂S is a high Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) riskand can make metals brittle. H₂S may not be measured directly(differently than CO₂ and CH₄).

Further devices may be provided between separation columns to exchangeor convert gasses to oxidized versions. In at least one embodiment, suchoxidized versions may be measured for concentrations and/or for isotopesin a spectrometer. As such, it is possible to detect and measure variouscomponents of a natural gas product within a determined time periodusing gas converters between separation columns. For example, ammonium(NH₄), methane (CH₄), H₂S, and water vapor (H₂O) may be separated andmeasured in a similar manner using intervening gas converters. In anexample, H₂O may need separation of its elemental forms (such as, H andO) before measurements.

In one example, ammonium may become ammonia under a determined pH, in asolution. Ammonia may be oxidized in the presence of air (such as, in anoxygen rich environment) and in the presence of a catalyst to formnitrogen oxides. Furthermore, oxidizing continued in a gas converter fornitrogen oxides converts nitrogen oxides to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Assuch, a gas converter may be to oxidize a pH-changed ammonium (inammonia form) to provide NO₂. In the manner of CH₄ and SO₂, detectingand measuring for concentrations and/or for nitrogen (N)-isotopes canprovide information pertaining to ammonium in a natural gas product, andwhich may be detected by a system having separation columns and one ormore gas converters for each of these components that are detected andmeasured faster by conversion than by separation.

In at least one embodiment, a gas converter 518 may be used to readilyconvert CO₂ to methane (or H₂S to S₂O), which enables separation ofspectral peaks of ethane (from a first separation column 510A) andCO₂-converted-methane (from a gas converter 518). In at least oneembodiment, a preliminary separation therefore happens in a few meter ofa silica-fused column of a first separation column 510A, which givesidentical separated spectral peaks for each neighbor of a co-elutingCO₂-ethane spectral peak. In at least one embodiment, other thanreaction in a gas converter 518, a final separation step occurs via asecond separation column 510B using a few meters of silica-fused columnto separate ethane and CO₂-converted-methane spectral peaks.

In at least one embodiment, a system 500 for separation of components ofa natural gas product includes a first separation column 510A to receivea natural gas product (such as a natural gas product sample 506) and toprovide first stage components. In at least one embodiment, a firstseparation column 510A receives its natural gas product from acombination chamber 508. In at least one embodiment, a carrier gas 502Amay be provided to a combination chamber 508, along with a natural gasproduct sample 506, which is let out as a natural gas product sample504, via a sample outlet. In at least one embodiment, a carrier gas maybe hydrogen or helium.

In at least one embodiment, a first separation column 510A is adapted toreceive a natural gas product and to provide first stage components thatinclude at least a first methane and carbon dioxide (CO2). In at leastone embodiment, ethane may share a similar spectral peak as such firstmethane from a first separation column 510A as illustrated in examplepeaks in FIG. 5B. In at least one embodiment, similarly, otherhydrocarbons or byproducts may share a spectral peak with H₂S and sofast in-field chromatography may be delayed but for a gas converterprovided in a similar manner for H₂S instead of CO₂.

As such, any hydrocarbons separated in a first separation column 510Aremain unchanged as it passes through a gas converter 518 and the secondseparation column 510B (as well as in the combustion chamber 512 and thedryer 516. In at least one embodiment, only CO₂ or H₂S are exchanged orconverted as a stage of components pass out of a separation column (suchas a first separation column 510A) over a multiple stage separationcolumns architecture. As such, a preliminary separation step (or onestage separation in a fast in-field chromatography system and method)results in C1-C5 components and CO₂. In such multiple stage separationcolumns architecture, two component gasses may overlap (such as CO₂ andEthane).

A gas converter may be an intermediate separation step is able toconvert or exchange out CO₂ to C1. Thereafter, one or more furtherseparation steps can separation remaining stage components, whilepassing through previously separated component gasses (such as, C1, C1from CO₂, C₂, and other hydrocarbons). In at least one embodiment, C1from CO₂ comes after C1 (such as, detected after C1) in a spectrometeror detector output as a first separation column causes a delay by itsseparation process. Further from such separation steps, combustion isperformed for all component gases using catalysts that are copper oxide(CuO)-based nickel oxide (NiO)-based, so that non-hydrocarbon componentgases, such as CO2 is converted. Still further, drying of componentgases with tube dryer, such as Nafion® may be performed. Finally, ameasurement of CO₂, such as from a ratio of C12/C13 isotopes may betaken from spectrometer or detector. A measurement of H₂S is similarlymade from SO₂ isotope(s) determined from a spectrometer or detector.

In at least one embodiment, a gas converter 518 may receive such firststage components from a first separation column 510A and may be adaptedto provide second stage components that include second methane. In atleast one embodiment, previously provided first component gas (such as afirst methane) may be passed-through such a gas converter 518. In atleast one embodiment, such receiving and providing of natural gascomponents for each of system components 508-516 occurs at differentperiods of time or at different time points within a period of time.

In at least one embodiment, separations columns are provided to separatecomponents (or component gasses) without converting them. As CO₂ andethane have similar natural retention times, separation of thesecomponent gasses needs time. As such, different separation columns usedfor CO₂ and for ethane would add more time to a detection system andmethod. In at least one embodiment, separation is first performed toresult in a combination of ethane and CO₂, from which CO₂ may beconverted to CH4 so that a retention time for CH4 may be used insteadwithout additional time.

Separated component gas from a first separation column may be directlypassed to a combustion chamber followed by measurements of C1-C5 isotoperatios; and immediately thereafter CO₂-to-C1 converted component gas,delayed by the gas converted may be provided for the combustion chamberfollowed by associated measurements. There may be a further separationcolumn to separate an original C1 from a CO₂-to-C1 converted componentgas before other component gasses are received in aspectrometer/detector.

In at least one embodiment, second component gas (such as CO₂) fromprovided first stage components may be converted or provided as part ofa second stage component in a form of a CO₂-converted-methane, referredto as a third component gas (or second methane). In at least oneembodiment, H₂S may be a second component gas and its conversion causesa third component gas that is S₂O. In at least one embodiment, such athird component gas (such as second methane) has spectral peaks that isdistinct from ethane, but that was previously sharing a spectral peakwith an unconverted form of such second component gas (such as CO₂). Inat least one embodiment, such CO₂-converted-methane (or any thirdcomponent gas) may be passed-through a second separation column 510Bwithout further reaction, in a similar manner as a first component gas(such as methane) that may be passed through both a gas converter 518and a second separation column 510B without further reaction.

In at least one embodiment, a second separation column 510B may beadapted to receive second stage components from a gas converter 518 andmay be adapted to provide third stage components. In at least oneembodiment, such third stage components include a first component gas(such as first methane) from a first separation column 510A, a thirdcomponent gas (such as second methane) from a gas converter 518, and oneor more additional carbon-based components from a first separationcolumn 510A of from a second separation column 510B. In at least oneembodiment, individual second stage components and individual thirdstage components may be provided at or over a period of time that isassociated with such separation of such components of a natural gasproduct 506. In at least one embodiment, multiple gas converters may beused in series so that each of CO₂ and H₂S may be converted by such asystem.

In at least one embodiment, a hydrogen or oxygen source may be providedin a fast in-field chromatography system 500. In at least oneembodiment, a hydrogen source may be for providing hydrogen gas as thesupplied gas 518A to a gas converter 518 to support conversion of carbondioxide (CO₂) of first stage components to a second methane, where suchfirst stage components already include a first methane. In at least oneembodiment, an oxygen source may be for providing hydrogen gas as thesupplied gas 518A to support conversion of H₂S of first stage componentsto S₂O.

In at least one embodiment, such first stage components are provided onor at different time points in a period of time or on or at differenttime periods. In at least one embodiment, reference to providing first,second, and third stage components, from a first separation column, agas converter, and a second separation column, may be to componentspassed-through or formed within one or more of such first separationcolumn, gas converter, or second separation column. In at least oneembodiment, first methane separated in a first separation column ispassed through a gas converter and a second separation column, withoutfurther changes or reaction performed thereon.

In a combustion chamber, all hydrocarbon component gasses may betransformed to CO₂, which may be then measured in a spectrometer forisotope ratios, such as for C12/C13. Further, hydrocarbon componentgasses do not react, convert, or exchange out within a gas converter. Assuch, only CO₂ (or H₂S, where appropriate) is exchanged out or convertedin the gas converter. Still further, a first component gas (C1) and athird component gas (such as a CO2-converted-C1) may be separated in asecond column before a combustion chamber.

In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatography system 500includes a gas converter 518 that provides one or more additionalcarbon-based components than a first methane, and may be adapted toprovide such one or more additional carbon-based components aspass-through components, which are as provided to it from a firstseparation column 510A. In at least one embodiment, such a gas convertermay be separately provided to output one or more sulfur-base componentsalong with carbon-based components as pass-through components of a priorseparation column.

In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatography system 500includes a combustion chamber 512 and a dryer 516 to condition thirdstage components (from a second separation column 510B) for aspectrometer or detector 514. In at least one embodiment, a spectrometeror detector 514 may be adapted to provide results associated with peaksof individual isotopes of individual third stage components versus timeof detection or measurement of such individual third stage components.In at least one embodiment, such individual third stage componentsinclude at least some of individual first stage components (from a firstseparation column 510A) and at least some of such individual secondstage components (from a gas converter 518)

In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatography system 500includes a spectrometer or a detector 514 to register a first methane asa different isotope than a second methane or to register differentspectral peaks at different times for a first methane and a secondmethane, where such second methane is a CO₂-converted-methane from a gasconverter.

In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatography system 500includes a gas converter 518 to enable separation of ethane and CO₂ froma first separation column 510A. In at least one embodiment, suchconversion may be enabled, in part, by a conversion of such CO₂ tosecond methane in presence of a catalyst and supplied hydrogen gas. Inat least one embodiment, such second methane is distinct from firstmethane separation in a first separation column 510A from a natural gasproduct provided to it.

In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatography system 500includes a hydrogen, oxygen, or other gas dosing apparatus to beassociated with at least one processor and memory comprisinginstructions that when executed by at least one processor enables ahydrogen or oxygen dosing apparatus to control delivery of hydrogen,oxygen, or other gas to a gas converter (such as illustrated in FIG. 8).In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatography system 500includes a combustion chamber 512 to chemically reduce, by reaction inpresence of at least a copper oxide (CuO)-based catalyst, natural gas ofthird stage components. In at least one embodiment, such a CuO-basedcatalyst may be regenerated periodically.

In at least one embodiment, a gas converter 518 is able to providesecond stage components by conversion of at least CO₂ in first stagecomponents of a first separation column 510A by using hydrogen suppliedgas 518A provided to it. In at least one embodiment, a reaction(equation 1) may occur within a gas converter 518.

$\begin{matrix}{{{CO}2} + {{nH}{2\overset{catalyst}{\longrightarrow}{CH}}4} + {{non} - {carbon}{byproducts}}} & {{Equation}(1)}\end{matrix}$

In at least one embodiment, hydrogen supplied gas 518A is a reactant inthis reaction. In at least one embodiment, injection of hydrogensupplied gas 518A occurs in a programmed, well-dosed approach, so thatexcess hydrogen cannot reach a combustion chamber 512 after a separationstep occurs subsequent to a second separation column 510B. In at leastone embodiment, catalytic combustion in a combustion chamber 512 occursin presence of a copper oxide (CuO) or Nickel oxide (NiO) catalyst. Inat least one embodiment, such a catalyst may be produced from copper ornickel foam oxidization. In at least one embodiment, an operation assuch enables CuO or NiO to be converted to Cu or Ni in a reductionreaction with natural gas of second stage components and with hydrogenpossibly entering to a combustion module 512. While limited, such entryof hydrogen may occur. Alternatively, helium may be used a carrier gas,but a separation process may be slower as helium may flow slower thanhydrogen.

In at least one embodiment, a gas converter 518 is able to providesecond stage components by conversion of at least H₂S in first stagecomponents of a first separation column 510A by using oxygen suppliedgas 518A provided to it. In at least one embodiment, a reaction(equation 2) may occur within a gas converter 518

$\begin{matrix}{{2H2S} + {3O{2\overset{catalyst}{\longrightarrow}2}{SO}2} + {{non} - {carbon}{byproducts}}} & {{Equation}(2)}\end{matrix}$

In at least one embodiment, oxygen supplied gas 518A is a reactant inthis reaction. In at least one embodiment, injection of oxygen suppliedgas 518A occurs in a programmed, well-dosed approach, so that excessoxygen cannot reach a combustion chamber 512 after a separation stepoccurs subsequent to a second separation column 510B. In at least oneembodiment, catalytic combustion in a combustion chamber 512 occurs inpresence of a CuO or NiO catalyst. In at least one embodiment, such acatalyst may be produced from copper or nickel foam oxidization. In atleast one embodiment, an operation as such enables CuO or NiO to beconverted to Cu or Ni in a reduction reaction with natural gas of secondstage components and with oxygen possibly entering to a combustionmodule 512. While limited, such entry of oxygen may occur.

In at least one embodiment, a non-carbon byproduct from a gas converter518 is water. In at least one embodiment, such water may be removed in adryer 516, which may be a catalytic tube dryer. In at least oneembodiment, for improved lifetime of a combustion module 512, a catalystapplied therein may be regenerated with blown air to cause thermaloxidation of copper in 2 hours at 500° C. In at least one embodiment,two combustion chambers 512 may be provided as two catalytic combustionmodules, so that one module may be in service and another module may bein regeneration mode at any point in time. In at least one embodiment,for improving stability, linearity, and reproducibility of such a system500, a calibration point may be suggested after switching of acombustion chamber 512.

In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatography system 500includes a spectrometer or detector 514 (also as illustrated anddescribed with respect to FIG. 8) to include a determined calibrationpoint to enable repeatable detection of components of a natural gasproduct. In at least one embodiment, a fast in-field chromatographysystem 500 includes a spectrometer or detector 514 that may beassociated with a combustion chamber 512 that receives air 512A toassist the combustion. In at least one embodiment, a spectrometer ordetector 514 is adapted to include a determined calibration point toenable repeatable detection of components of a natural gas product afterindividual regeneration of a catalyst of a combustion chamber 512.

FIGS. 5B-D illustrate results 560, 580, 590 from a system 500 forseparation of components of a natural gas product, such as described inFIG. 5A, of at least one embodiment herein. In at least one embodiment,such figures are of different stage results of a system 500 in FIG. 5Afor isotope ratio measurement of C1 to C5 plus CO₂. In at least oneembodiment, an overall cycle time of separation and detection of C1 toC5 components of a natural gas product, plus CO₂, is within 1 minute.

In FIG. 5B, first stage components' spectral peaks 564 are illustratedwith a label 566, for each spectral peak, as measured from output of afirst separation column, in a system 500 in FIG. 5A. In at least oneembodiment, detection of first stage components, including a firstmethane (label 1), a final first stage component, n-pentane (label 10),along with mixed peaks for ethane and CO₂ (labeled 2), are illustrated.In at least one embodiment, a timeline 562 of plot 560 illustrates sucha mixed peak. In FIG. 5C, second stage components' spectral peaks 584are illustrated with a label 586, for each spectral peak, for a system500 in FIG. 5A. As illustrated, in at least one embodiment, detection ofsecond stage components, including of a first methane ethane (label 1,which may be a pass-through from first stage components), along with amixed peak of ethane and second methane (label 2, CO₂-converted-methane)are illustrated on a timescale 582 of plot 580.

In FIG. 5D, according to at least one embodiment, third stagecomponents' spectral peaks 594 are illustrated with a label 596, foreach spectral peak, for a system 500 in FIG. 5A. In FIG. 5C, firstmethane (label 1), second methane (label 2), and ethane (label 3) areall illustrated as separate spectral peaks (after a second separationcolumn) as detected by a spectrometer or detector following combustionand drying. Also as illustrated, detection of a final natural gascomponent, n-pentane (label 11), occurs under a one (1) minute mark pera minute scale 592 of plot 590. In at least one embodiment, a system andmethod herein can cause a third component gas (such as theCO₂-converted-C1) in roughly 10 seconds, and then flow through acombustion chamber, along with a measurement on a spectrometer ordetector, could be completed in few more seconds. This results in asub-1 minute or 1 minute separation and detection of all componentgasses in a natural gas product as indicated in the x-axis scale in FIG.5D.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process flow of a method 600 for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product according to at least one embodimentherein. In at least one embodiment, step 602 is for receiving a naturalgas product in a first separation column. In at least one embodiment,step 604 is for receiving first stage components from a first separationcolumn to a or in a gas converter. In at least one embodiment, suchfirst stage components include at least a first component gas (such asfirst methane) and a second component gas (such as carbon dioxide(CO₂)). In at least one embodiment, H₂S is a second component gasreceived in a gas converter via step 604 and in which it is converted toa third component gas (S₂O) in a gas converter

In at least one embodiment, step 606 is a determination step to verifythat second stage components are provided from a gas converter. In atleast one embodiment, if step 606 is verified, step 608 is performed forreceiving, in a second separation column, second stage components thatincludes first component gas (such as first methane) and a thirdcomponent gas (such as second methane). In at least one embodiment, suchsecond methane may be formed from CO₂ received to a gas converter instep 604. In at least one embodiment, step 604 may be repeated if averification in step 606 fails.

In at least one embodiment, step 610 is for providing, from a secondseparation column, third stage components that includes first componentgas (such as first methane), third component gas (such as secondmethane), and one or more additional carbon-based components. In atleast one embodiment, such individual second stage components and suchindividual third stage components are provided at or over a period oftime associated with a separation of components of a natural gasproduct.

FIG. 7 illustrates another process flow of a method 700 for separationof components of a natural gas product according to at least oneembodiment herein. In at least one embodiment, method 700 includes step702 for determining at least one calibration point associated with acombustion chamber and may be done with respect to a spectrometer or adetector. In at least one embodiment, step 702 may include enabling aspectrometer or detector to include a determined calibration point thatis then associated with a combustion chamber. In at least oneembodiment, such a determination supports enabling repeatable detectionof components of a natural gas product based in part on such adetermined calibration point.

In at least one embodiment, method 700 includes a step 704 forassociating a first separation column with a gas converter and a secondseparation column. In at least one embodiment, a sub-step of step 704includes associating a spectrometer or detector with a combustionchamber so that such a spectrometer or detector is able to include adetermined calibration point. In at least one embodiment, such a featureincludes enabling repeatable detection of components (or componentgasses) of a natural gas product after individual regeneration of acatalyst of a combustion chamber, where a fast in-filed chromatographysystem has to be restarted after a combustion chamber is replaced or itscatalyst is replaced (or regenerated).

In at least one embodiment, step 706 may be a verification step fordetermining that natural gas product is available sampling, such asfollowing startup of a fast in-filed chromatography system. In at leastone embodiment, an association step 704 may be otherwise repeated. In atleast one embodiment, step 708 may be enabled for carrier gas andnatural gas product to be provided to a first separation chamber. In atleast one embodiment, step 710 may be provided for enabling aspectrometer or detector to provide different spectral peaks atdifferent types based in part on components (or component gasses)provided from a first separation column, a gas converter, and a secondseparation column. In at least one embodiment, conversion of CO₂ to asecond methane may be referred to as a separation of second methane fromethane that would have otherwise offered overlapping peaks betweenethane and CO₂ of a natural gas product.

In at least one embodiment, computer and network aspects 800 for a fastin-field chromatography system as illustrated in FIG. 8, may be used asdescribed herein. In at least one embodiment, these computer and networkaspects 800 may include a distributed system. In at least oneembodiment, a distributed system 800 may include one or more computingdevices 812-816. In at least one embodiment, one or more computingdevices 812-816 may be adapted to execute and function with a clientapplication, such as with browsers or a stand-alone application, and areadapted to execute and function over one or more network(s) 806.

In at least one embodiment, a server 804, having components 806A-X maybe communicatively coupled with computing devices 812-816 via network806 and via a receiver device 810, if provided. In at least oneembodiment, components 806A-X include processors, memory and randomaccess memory (RAM). In at least one embodiment, server 804 may beadapted to operate services or applications to manage functions andsessions associated with database access 802 and associated withcomputing devices 812-816. In at least one embodiment, server 804 may beassociated with a receiver device and a monitor device. In at least oneembodiment, server 804 may be at a wellsite location, but may also be ata distinct location from a wellsite location. In at least oneembodiment, such a server 804 may support a spectrometer or detector 816and/or a gas (such as hydrogen or oxygen) dosing apparatus 818B that maybe adapted to deliver doses of hydrogen, oxygen, or other gas, from agas source 818A to a gas converter 818C. In at least one embodiment, asensor may be associated with a gas converter 818C to communicate backto a gas dosing apparatus 818B and to a server 804 regarding dosageapplied or to be applied.

In at least one embodiment, a monitor device and/or a receiver device isadapted to transmit, either through wires or wireless, informationreceived therein, including dosage information and results from aspectrometer or detector. In at least one embodiment, such informationmay be received in a receiver device and transmitted to a monitor devicethat infers from changes in electrical properties based in part oninstructions stored therein. In at least one embodiment, a server 804may function as a monitor device but may also perform other functions.In at least one embodiment, one or more component 806A-X may be adaptedto function as a monitor device within a server 804. In at least oneembodiment, one or more components 806A-X and 818B may include one ormore processors and one or more memory devices adapted to function as amonitor device, while other processors and memory devices in server 804may perform other functions.

In at least one embodiment, server 804 may also provide services orapplications that are software-based in a virtual or a physicalenvironment. In at least one embodiment, when server 804 is a virtualenvironment, then components 806A-X are software components that may beimplemented on a cloud. In at least one embodiment, this feature allowsremote operation of receiver devices, spectrometers or detectors, and ofa hydrogen dosing apparatus, as discussed at least in reference to FIGS.5A-D. In at least one embodiment, this feature also allows for remoteaccess to information received and communicated between any ofaforementioned devices. In at least one embodiment, one or morecomponents 806A-X of a server 804 may be implemented in hardware orfirmware, other than a software implementation described throughoutherein. In at least one embodiment, combinations thereof may also beused.

In at least one embodiment, one computing device 816 may be a smartmonitor or a display having at least a microcontroller and memory havinginstructions to enable display of information monitored by a monitordevice and received by a receiver device. In at least one embodiment,one computing device 812 may be a transmitter device to transmitdirectly to a receiver device 810 or to transmit via a network 806 to areceiver device 810 and to a server 804, as well as to other computingdevices 814. In at least one embodiment, other computing devices 814 mayinclude portable handheld devices that are not limited to smartphones,cellular telephones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants(PDAs), and wearable devices (head mounted displays, watches, etc.). Inat least one embodiment, other computing devices 814 may operate one ormore operating systems including Microsoft Windows Mobile®, Windows® (ofany generation), and/or a variety of mobile operating systems such asiOS®, Windows Phone®, Android®, BlackBerry®, Palm OS®, and/or variationsthereof

In at least one embodiment, other computing devices 814 may supportapplications designed as internet-related applications, electronic mail(email), short or multimedia message service (SMS or MMS) applications,and may use other communication protocols. In at least one embodiment,other computing devices 814 may also include general purpose personalcomputers and/or laptop computers running such operating systems asMicrosoft Windows®, Apple Macintosh®, and/or Linux®. In at least oneembodiment, other computing devices 814 may be workstations runningUNIX® or UNIX-like operating systems or other GNU/Linux operatingsystems, such as Google Chrome OS®. In at least one embodiment,thin-client devices, including gaming systems (Microsoft Xbox®) may beused as other computing device 814.

In at least one embodiment, network(s) 806 may be any type of networkthat can support data communications using various protocols, includingTCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol), SNA (systemsnetwork architecture), IPX (Internet packet exchange), AppleTalk®,and/or variations thereof In at least one embodiment, network(s) 806 maybe a networks that is based on Ethernet, Token-Ring, a wide-areanetwork, Internet, a virtual network, a virtual private network (VPN), alocal area network (LAN), an intranet, an extranet, a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN), an infra-red network, a wireless network (suchas that operating with guidelines from an institution like the Instituteof Electrical and Electronics (IEEE) 802.11 suite of protocols,Bluetooth®, and/or any other wireless protocol), and/or any combinationof these and/or other networks.

In at least one embodiment, a server 804 runs a suitable operatingsystem, including any of operating systems described throughout herein.In at least one embodiment, server 804 may also run some serverapplications, including HTTP (hypertext transport protocol) servers, FTP(file transfer protocol) servers, CGI (common gateway interface)servers, JAVA® servers, database servers, and/or variations thereof. Inat least one embodiment, a database 802 is supported by database serverfeature of a server 804 provided with front-end capabilities. In atleast one embodiment, such database server features include thoseavailable from Oracle®, Microsoft®, Sybase®, IBM® (InternationalBusiness Machines), and/or variations thereof.

In at least one embodiment, a server 804 is able to provide feeds and/orreal-time updates for media feeds. In at least one embodiment, a server804 is part of multiple server boxes spread over an area, butfunctioning for a presently described process for fast in-fieldchromatography. In at least one embodiment, server 804 includesapplications to measure network performance by network monitoring andtraffic management. In at least one embodiment, a provided database 802enables information storage from a wellsite, including userinteractions, usage patterns information, adaptation rules information,and other information.

While techniques herein may be subject to modifications and alternativeconstructions, these variations are within spirit of present disclosure.As such, certain illustrated embodiments are shown in drawings and havebeen described above in detail, but these are not limiting disclosure tospecific form or forms disclosed; and instead, cover all modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within spirit andscope of disclosure, as defined in appended claims.

Terms such as a, an, the, and similar referents, in context ofdescribing disclosed embodiments (especially in context of followingclaims), are understood to cover both singular and plural, unlessotherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context, and notas a definition of a term. Including, having, including, and containingare understood to be open-ended terms (meaning a phrase such as,including, but not limited to) unless otherwise noted. Connected, whenunmodified and referring to physical connections, may be understood aspartly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, evenif there is something intervening.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within range, unless otherwise indicated herein and eachseparate value is incorporated into specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. In at least one embodiment, use of a term,such as a set (for a set of items) or subset unless otherwise noted orcontradicted by context, is understood to be nonempty collectionincluding one or more members. Further, unless otherwise noted orcontradicted by context, term subset of a corresponding set does notnecessarily denote a proper subset of corresponding set, but subset andcorresponding set may be equal.

Conjunctive language, such as phrases of form, at least one of A, B, andC, or at least one of A, B and C, unless specifically stated otherwiseor otherwise clearly contradicted by context, is otherwise understoodwith context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., maybe either A or B or C, or any nonempty subset of set of A and B and C.In at least one embodiment of a set having three members, conjunctivephrases, such as at least one of A, B, and C and at least one of A, Band C refer to any of following sets: {A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B,C}, {A, B, C}. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intendedto imply that certain embodiments require at least one of A, at leastone of B and at least one of C each to be present. In addition, unlessotherwise noted or contradicted by context, terms such as plurality,indicates a state of being plural (such as, a plurality of itemsindicates multiple items). In at least one embodiment, a number of itemsin a plurality is at least two, but can be more when so indicated eitherexplicitly or by context. Further, unless stated otherwise or otherwiseclear from context, phrases such as based on means based at least inpart on and not based solely on.

Operations of methods 600 and 700 or sub-steps described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. In at least one embodiment, amethod includes processes such as those processes described herein (orvariations and/or combinations thereof) that may be performed undercontrol of one or more computer systems configured with executableinstructions and that may be implemented as code (e.g., executableinstructions, one or more computer programs or one or more applications)executing collectively or exclusively on one or more processors, byhardware or combinations thereof.

In at least one embodiment, such code may be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium. In at least one embodiment, such codemay be a computer program having instructions executable by one or moreprocessors. In at least one embodiment, a computer-readable storagemedium is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium thatexcludes transitory signals (such as a propagating transient electric orelectromagnetic transmission) but includes non-transitory data storagecircuitry (such as buffers, cache, and queues) within transceivers oftransitory signals. In at least one embodiment, code (such as executablecode or source code) is stored on a set of one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media having stored thereon executableinstructions (or other memory to store executable instructions) that,when executed (such as a result of being executed) by one or moreprocessors of a computer system, cause computer system to performoperations described herein.

In at least one embodiment, a set of non-transitory computer-readablestorage media includes multiple non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia and one or more of individual non-transitory storage media ofmultiple non-transitory computer-readable storage media lack all of codewhile multiple non-transitory computer-readable storage mediacollectively store all of code. In at least one embodiment, executableinstructions are executed such that different instructions are executedby different processors—in at least one embodiment, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium store instructions and a main centralprocessing unit (CPU) executes some of instructions while otherprocessing units execute other instructions. In at least one embodiment,different components of a computer system have separate processors anddifferent processors execute different subsets of instructions.

In at least one embodiment, computer systems are configured to implementone or more services that singly or collectively perform operations ofprocesses described herein and such computer systems are configured withapplicable hardware and/or software that enable performance ofoperations. In at least one embodiment, a computer system thatimplements at least one embodiment of present disclosure is a singledevice or is a distributed computer system having multiple devices thatoperate differently such that distributed computer system performsoperations described herein and such that a single device does notperform all operations.

In at least one embodiment, even though the above discussion provides atleast one embodiment having implementations of described techniques,other architectures may be used to implement described functionality,and are intended to be within scope of this disclosure. In addition,although specific responsibilities may be distributed to components andprocesses, they are defined above for purposes of discussion, andvarious functions and responsibilities might be distributed and dividedin different ways, depending on circumstances.

In at least one embodiment, although subject matter has been describedin language specific to structures and/or methods or processes, it is tobe understood that subject matter claimed in appended claims is notlimited to specific structures or methods described. Instead, specificstructures or methods are disclosed as example forms of how a claim maybe implemented.

From all the above, a person of ordinary skill would readily understandthat the tool of the present disclosure provides numerous technical andcommercial advantages, and can be used in a variety of applications.Various embodiments may be combined or modified based in part on thepresent disclosure, which is readily understood to support suchcombination and modifications to achieve the benefits described above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for separation of components of anatural gas product, the system comprising: a first separation column toreceive the natural gas product and to provide first stage componentsthat comprise at least a first component gas and a second component gas;a gas converter to receive the first stage components and to providesecond stage components that comprise the first component gas, and athird component gas, the third component gas formed by conversion of thesecond component gas; and a second separation column to receive thesecond stage components and to provide third stage components, the thirdstage components comprising the first component gas, the third componentgas, and one or more additional carbon-based components, individualsecond stage components and individual third stage components providedin or over a period of time associated with the separation of thecomponents of the natural gas product.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe second component gas is carbon dioxide (CO₂), ammonium (NH₄), orhydrogen sulfide (H₂S), the system further comprising one or more of: ahydrogen source for providing hydrogen gas to the gas converter tosupport conversion of the CO₂ of the first stage components to the thirdcomponent gas, the third component gas being methane; an oxygen sourcefor providing oxygen gas to the gas converter to support conversion ofammonium of the first stage components to the third component gas, thethird component gas being nitrogen dioxide (NO₂); or an oxygen sourcefor providing oxygen gas to the gas converter to support conversion ofthe H₂S to the third component gas, the third component gas being SO₂.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gas converter provides the firstcomponent gas and the one or more additional carbon-based components asprovided to it from the first separation column.
 4. The system of claim1, further comprising: a combustion chamber and a dryer to condition thethird stage components for a spectrometer or detector, the spectrometeror detector to provide results associated with spectral peaks ofindividual isotopes of individual third stage components versus time ofdetection or measurement of the individual third stage components. 5.The system of claim 1, further comprising: a spectrometer or a detectorto register the first component gas as a first methane and the thirdcomponent gas as second methane of a different isotope than the firstmethane; or a spectrometer or a detector to register different spectralpeaks at different times for the first component gas and the thirdcomponent gas.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the gasconverter to enable separation of spectral peaks associated with ethaneand the second component gas, in part, by a conversion of the secondcomponent gas to the third component gas in the presence of a catalystand a supplied gas, the second component gas being CO₂ or H₂S, the thirdcomponent gas being methane or SO₂, and the supplied gas being hydrogengas or oxygen gas.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: ahydrogen or oxygen dosing apparatus to be associated with at least oneprocessor and memory comprising instructions that when executed by theat least one processor enables the hydrogen or oxygen dosing apparatusto control delivery of hydrogen gas or oxygen gas to the gas converter.8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a combustion chamber tochemically reduce, by reaction in presence of at least a copper oxide(CuO)-based catalyst, natural gas of the third stage components, theCuO-based catalyst to be regenerated periodically.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a spectrometer or detector to comprise adetermined calibration point to enable repeatable detection of thecomponents of the natural gas product.
 10. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a spectrometer or detector associated with acombustion chamber, the spectrometer or detector to comprise adetermined calibration point to enable repeatable detection of thecomponents of the natural gas product after individual regeneration of acatalyst of the combustion chamber.
 11. A method for separation ofcomponents of a natural gas product, the method comprising: receiving,in a first separation column, the natural gas product; receiving, in agas converter, first stage components from the first separation column,the first stage components comprising at least a first component gas anda second component gas; receiving, in a second separation column, secondstage components comprising the first component gas and a thirdcomponent gas, the third component gas formed by conversion of thesecond component gas in the gas converter; and providing, from thesecond separation column, third stage components comprising the firstcomponent gas, the third component gas, and one or more additionalcarbon-based components, individual second stage components andindividual third stage components provided in or over a period of timeassociated with the separation of the components of the natural gasproduct.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second component gas iscarbon dioxide (CO₂), ammonium (NH₄), or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), themethod further comprising one or more of: providing, using a hydrogensource, hydrogen gas to the gas converter to support conversion of thecarbon dioxide (CO2) of the first stage components to the thirdcomponent gas, the third component gas being methane; providing, usingan oxygen source, oxygen gas to the gas converter to support conversionof the ammonium of the first stage components to the third componentgas, the third component gas being nitrogen dioxide (NO₂); or providing,using an oxygen source, oxygen gas to the gas converter to supportconversion of the H₂S to the third component gas, the third componentgas being SO₂.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:providing, from the gas converter, the first component gas and the oneor more additional carbon-based components as provided to the gasconverter from the first separation column.
 14. The method of claim 11,further comprising: conditioning the third stage components using acombustion chamber and a dryer; providing the third stage components,after conditioning, to a spectrometer or detector; and providing resultsfrom the spectrometer or detector, the results associated with spectralpeaks of individual isotopes of individual third stage components versustime of detection or measurement of the individual third stagecomponents.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: registering,using a spectrometer or a detector, the first component gas as a firstmethane and the third component gas as a second methane of a differentisotope than the first methane; or registering different spectral peaksat different times for the first component gas and the third componentgas.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: enabling separationof spectral peaks of ethane and the second component gas, in part, by aconversion of the second component gas to the third component gas, inthe gas converter, in the presence of a catalyst and supplied gas, thesecond component gas being CO₂ or H₂S, the third component gas beingmethane or SO₂, and the supplied gas being hydrogen gas or oxygen gas.17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: enabling a hydrogen oroxygen dosing apparatus to be associated with at least one processor andmemory comprising instructions; and enabling, by the hydrogen or oxygendosing apparatus, when the instructions are executed by the at least oneprocessor, controlled delivery of hydrogen gas or oxygen gas to the gasconverter.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising: chemicallyreducing, in a combustion chamber and by reaction in presence of atleast a copper oxide (CuO)-based catalyst, natural gas of the thirdstage components, the CuO-based catalyst to be regenerated periodically.19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: enabling a spectrometeror detector to comprise a determined calibration point; and enablingrepeatable detection of the components of the natural gas product basedin part on the determined calibration point.
 20. The method of claim 11,further comprising: associating a spectrometer or detector with acombustion chamber, the spectrometer or detector to comprise adetermined calibration point; and enabling repeatable detection of thecomponents of the natural gas product after individual regeneration of acatalyst of the combustion chamber.